Why is Lynn's ridiculously-outdated rules thread stickied?

I received a LOT of complaints about the lawnchair posts, usually by email. It really was getting out of hand, as Una said, there were more lawnchair posts than subject posts. They were, indeed, funny at first, but it got to the point where the posts were annoying quite a few people, and it was pretty much postpadding.

I still stand by my “no joke threads in the Pit” rule. The Pit is not about posting obnoxious or tasteless jokes, and seeing who can gross out everyone else. I NEVER said that posts couldn’t be funny as well as pointed, though. I just said that the Pit wasn’t the place for joke threads.

This is correct. The way the rules are written is terribly unprofessional. It reflects poorly on the Dope, and poorly on Lynn.

I appreciate the response Lynn–I really don’t remember the lawnchair thing being out of hand, but I’ll certainly take yours and Una’s word for it.

However, the joke threads thing–if the rule is “no obnoxious or tasteless jokes” and “no gross-out threads”, then why was Esprix suspended?

His thread was neither obnoxious or tasteless or gross. It was kinda funny and at worst an MPSIMS-esque.

Or this one? Same deal–not “jokes” as in “a string of dead baby jokes”. Not “grossout” threads. At worst a lame attempt at a humorous pitting. And another suspension.

Nice though it is–and IS nice; I say that without snark–it fails to address my basic question, which is why two rules threads?

I had kept closing joke threads, and people kept making them. I believe at the time that we didn’t have suspension available as a tool. I did tell the posters involved to get back to me. I didn’t see any other way to get the message across. The Pit was becoming another joke forum.

As for two rules threads, I didn’t want to jump into Ed’s thread with my rules. However, I did want to make the point that my rules still apply.

But those two weren’t “joke threads” by the rules you posted above. I’m not trying to play “gotcha” here—I’m saying that both Esprix and Ilsa’s threads were at least attempts at funny rants. You may not think they were funny, but they weren’t “posting obnoxious or tasteless jokes, and seeing who can gross out everyone else”.

I miss a Pit where funny (even if they’re failed attempts at funny) rants can be posted. Two posters that I could easily find were suspended, NOT for making lists of “obnoxious or tasteless jokes” and NOT for trying to “gross out everyone else”. They were ranting (appropriate to the Pit) and they were making the attempt to be funny. And they were suspended for it. Funny pit rants are what drew me to the SDMB in the first place.

I have no substantial problem with no joke threads in the Pit and I have no problem at all with “no gross-out threads”. But the two I linked (and I suspect I can find a bunch more) were neither. For whatever reason, the rule of “No joke threads” in practice was “No funny threads” based on those two samples (and again, there are more if I can find 'em).

Lynn, you should not be a moderator.

Could you just Email Ed and ask him to incorporate those of your rules that he wishes to retain then and ditch the second sticky? That would seem like a simple solution.

No kidding.

“My rules.” Gah! “My rules still apply.” GAH!

Why is it so hard for people to understand why so many of us are leaving or thinking about leaving? Lynn’s horrible, ego-centered moderating is one of the many reasons. Frankly, it’s almost enough for me, as long as she remains a moderator.

I thought of the same solution. It wasn’t that hard. It was probably a lot easier than thinking up an excuse for it.

So there are Ed’s rules and your rules. Because god forbid your rules be lost amidst the general chaos.

Obviously The Pit is your forum and no one else’s. Still.

I wonder how long Gfactor–a lawyer by profession, I believe–will be able to take your longstanding practice of creating and imposing rules at will. No discussion, not even a heads-up to other mods you just committed to enforcing ‘your’ rules.

This is wrong, Lynn. The autocratic mode stopped being amusing with pay-to-post.

On second thought, do whatever the hell you want because you will anyway. It’s your forum and your rules and your unnecessary, damaging clusterfuck. Yours is one of the loudest voices who counseled Ed right over the cliff. Congratulations on your fine achievement.

In ten years, Lynn one of only two or three I’ve ever thought this about. The only one in several years.

Some are better than others, and generally I prefer those who are a little more proactive or tougher than a lot of other posters care for. But Lynn has repeatedly demonstrated a knack for making things worse.

When you describe yourself as thin-skinned, you ought to have the self-awareness to know you’re not going to be an effective moderator, especially in the freaking pit.

The odd thing is, I have nothing against Lynn, the poster. I’ve seen her post great stuff from good cat-raising advice to humorous anecdotes. Sure, she’s posted things that made me roll my eyes, but nearly everyone here has done that. Heck, even I sometimes post things that make me roll my eyes. But as a mod? She’s terrible. Worst. Mod. Ever.

:smiley:

(Nothin’ more to say.)

Lynn, newcomers especially will be confused by two different sets of rules by two different Administrators four years apart for one forum. It makes the SDMB look a little “thrown together.” It’s also a constant reminder – a pouring of salt into the wound – for those of us who are making an effort to find reasons to continue to check in here.

Can’t you and Ed work together on this? Is there a reason not to combine the two sets?

TOP TEN REASONS NOT TO COMBINE THE TWO SETS

  1. Can’t be arsed.

  2. Too busy–lots of stuff to do. Will be back soon to straighten this mess out.

  3. There is no contradiction. Move along.

  4. I deeply apologize for the confusion (not changing shit, mind you, just deeply sorry.)

  5. Am discussing this in high-level staff meetings on a non-stop basis for months now. Will let know which way we’re leaning after we reach an unchangable decision.

  6. You people really piss me off with all of your unreasonable demands.

  7. Get a life. Stop wasting your time on the SD and watch TV or pleasure yourselves or something, wouldja?

  8. You’re suspended for asking too many questions.

  9. You’re just lucky we don’t post Skip Magic’s third set of rules–they’re a beaut.

  10. Or Marley’s.

I’m sorry that I’m seeing this so late, but life’s been like that.

Look, gang, the discussion about Lynn’s post, rules, etc is fine. BUT you may NOT attack her personally. This is NOT about Lynn but about her post.
Personal attacks like this (only worse) are what led to the Rules Changes in the Pit. The rest of your OP is fine, you’re asking questions and criticizing a moderator’s decision: that’s perfectly OK. But you need to separate that from personal insults, trying to read Lynn’s mind, etc.

Personal insults have NEVER been permitted in ATMB, that’s not new. However, this isn’t an Official Warning, but it is reminder: tone it down. (Which you’ve done in the rest of the thread.)

Wow. You seriously consider that a “personal insult” that deserves an informal warning?

Have we gotten to the point where anything negative said about Lynn and her moderating is going to be considered “insulting”?

Yes.

Be thankful; SkipMagic would have given a formal warning AND closed the thread. Dex is using kid gloves.

I didn’t read any of this as an attack on Lynn, personally, but criticism on her ability to moderate. Those skills are somewhat lacking, so much so, that I noticed. I almost never notice mods–I’m too nice to get warned or banned and too boring to be any kind of a lightning rod.

I am left wondering how thin skinned is Ms Bodoni? The complaints here are legitimate ones and reasons for concern. As an aside, I find her tutorial on what makes a good flame condescending as hell. And given the reaction to this thread, I have no doubt that if the focus of Tao’s Revenge flame was Lynn, he would be warned, if not banned outright.